ALBANY (AP) -- State troopers ticketed 879 drivers on the Thruway for using cell phones during the third installment of "Operation Hang Up," between May 4th and 7th.
During an earlier enforcement blitz last November, 816 tickets were issued, and for all of 2009, troopers on the Thruway issued 8,981 tickets for violating the law against hand-held cell phone use while driving.
New York State law prohibits the use of a hand-held mobile telephone while one is driving, except to call 911 or contact medical, fire or police about an emergency.
Violators face a maximum fine of $100, along with a mandatory $60 surcharge.
In addition to cell phones, the law bans use of PDAs, laptop computers, and other hand-held electronic devices to read, type, browse, transmit, or talk.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
